Displaced Benue residents reject allocation of farmlands to mining firm

Displaced residents of Agatu West in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State have rejected the alleged allocation of their ancestral farmlands to a foreign mining company, describing the move as unacceptable.

Under the aegis of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, the community members accused some traditional leaders of secretly entering into an agreement to cede large portions of land for mining without the consent of the rightful owners.

The group said the affected areas cut across four wards—Usha, Ogwule Kaduna, Enugba and Ogwule Obaulu—where many residents have been displaced due to repeated attacks by suspected herders.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the forum’s president, Ebi Lucky, expressed concern that despite the insecurity in the area, a foreign miner was allegedly able to access and operate within the deserted communities.

According to him, more than 15 villages in the Agatu West axis have been overrun since 2024, forcing residents to flee their homes and abandon their farmlands.

“We, the undersigned leadership of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, humbly write to draw the attention of the public to the illegal and forceful ceding of Agatu West farmlands to a foreigner in the name of mining of mineral resources allegedly discovered in the region,” he said.

“The Agatu western region of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State consists of four wards—Usha, Ogwule Kaduna, Enugba and Ogwule Obaulu.

“These four wards, among others in Agatu, are where herders have been terrorising residents since 2013. In 2024, more than 15 villages in the Agatu western zone were sacked by Fulani herders, rendering residents homeless. The economic and social lives of the inhabitants have been disrupted as people can no longer access their farmlands,” Lucky added.

He further alleged that a memorandum of understanding had been signed to facilitate the mining activities without consulting the affected communities.

Lucky described the development as surprising and unacceptable, noting that many displaced residents depend on the land for their livelihoods.

He also claimed that key local authorities, including the chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, were unaware of the alleged arrangement.

The forum demanded that any planned mining activities be suspended until displaced residents are resettled in their communities.

Lucky also called for a review of any agreement allegedly entered into and urged that community representatives be included in all discussions concerning the land.

He further appealed to authorities to convene a stakeholders’ meeting involving local government officials, traditional rulers and community leaders to address the matter.

He warned that anyone found culpable in the alleged transfer of land should be held accountable in accordance with the law.